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Harnessing Endophytes to Improve Crop Efficiency and Production 

Year Awarded  2018

FFAR award amount   $292,230

Total award amount   $584,461

Location   Athens, GA

Matching Funders   University of Georgia Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Georgia Department of Crop Soil Science, University of Georgia Institute of Plant Breeding

Grantee Institution   University of Georgia Research Foundation

Agricultural production is not advancing fast enough to meet projected demands for food. Meeting these needs requires agricultural innovations and beneficial microorganisms are a promising way to increase crop growth, boost stress resistance and prevent diseases. Scientists and farmers must first understand how microorganisms work. University of Georgina Research Foundation Inc. is studying how crops are affected by the microbes that live inside them and how the environment impacts this relationship.

Innovations in the Food Supply Chain to Reduce Food Waste 

Year Awarded  2018

FFAR award amount   $188,260

Total award amount   $377,114

Location   Auburn, AL

Matching Funders   Auburn University

Grantee Institution   Auburn University

Global food loss and waste is a growing threat to food security. Auburn University researchers are reducing food waste in the food supply chain by develop “Functional Ice” for storage and transportation of raw poultry and seafood.

A Coupled Natural-Human System Approach to Solving Locust Plagues 

Year Awarded  2018

FFAR award amount   $298,835

Total award amount   $607,729

Location   Tempe, AZ

Matching Funders   ASU-Global Institute of Sustainability

Grantee Institution   Arizona State University

Locusts devastate agriculture globally, especially in subsistence farming communities. Locust outbreaks are unpredictable; however, sustainable land use can keep locusts at bay. Arizona State University researchers are exploring connections between land-use practices and locust outbreaks, while identifying and addressing barriers to sustainable locust management.

Towards Production of Residue-Free Healthy Fruit Crops 

Year Awarded  2018

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $600,000

Location   Prosser, WA

Matching Funders   WSU-Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, WSU- College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), WSU-CAHNRS Biological Systems Engineering Department, WSU Graduate School

Grantee Institution   Washington State University

Timely insect pest management is critical for quality tree fruit and wine grape production. However, consumers are increasingly alarmed by synthetic pesticide, which leave residues on produce and contaminates the environment. Washington State University researchers are developing and evaluating alternative pest management technologies that aid conventional and organic growers in reducing their reliance on broad spectrum pesticides.

Optimizing Water Use in Agriculture by Stacking Conservation Practices 

Year Awarded  2018

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $600,001

Location   Logan, UT

Matching Funders   USU CAES, Central Utah Water Conservancy District, E&I Conservation District, Unitah Conservation District, North Cache Conservation District, Senninger Irrigation, Central Iron County Water Conservancy District, USU RGS

Grantee Institution   Utah State University

Concerns about water scarcity are mounting due to rapid urban growth, depleting groundwater supplies and water shortages from climate trends. Utah State University researchers are assessing the combined effectiveness of several methods of water optimization in agriculture, including more efficient water application and management and advanced crop genetics.

FFAR Awards $2.4 Million to Eight Early-Career Research Faculty Members for Innovative Research Projects 

FFAR Seeks Early Career Nominees for New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award 

Improving Simulations of Water Dynamics and Crop Yield in the Corn Belt 

Year Awarded  2017

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $600,000

Location   Ames, IA

Matching Funders   Iowa Crop Improvement Association

Grantee Institution   Iowa State University

Currently, about 70 percent of crop yield losses in the Midwest are related to inefficient water use. Crop models help optimize water use and quality; however, today’s models do not account for groundwater. This important source of water can reduce the need for irrigation in dry years and enhance nitrogen and yield loss in wet years. Iowa State University researchers are improving simulation models that help farmers manage water use and predict impacts and design mitigation strategies that improve water quality, soil health and productivity.

Individually-targeted incentives, diet quality and health outcomes among adults 

Year Awarded  2017

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $600,000

Location   Kingston, RI

Matching Funders   University of Rhode Island

Grantee Institution   University of Rhode Island

Despite efforts, diet has proven resilient to change and new approaches are needed to prevent diet-related illness. University of Rhode Island researchers are exploring whether individually targeted incentives can increase the adoption of healthier food patterns to cost-effectively improve health. Researchers are using an individual’s past food choices to inform the targeted food incentives to improve food quality purchases.

Innovation at the Nexus of Computational, Membrane and Plant Biology 

Year Awarded  2017

FFAR award amount   $300,000

Total award amount   $600,000

Location   Urbana-Champaign, IL

Matching Funders   The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Grantee Institution   University of Illinois

Modern agriculture uses large amounts of fertilizer to maximize crop yield. However, up to 70 percent of applied Nitrogen is not absorbed by plants, resulting in extensive air and water pollution. The current understanding of the Nitrogen process in plants is limited by the lack of information at the molecular level. University of Illinois researchers are developing new approaches to understand the plant nitrogen uptake process.